Page 24 of Moving to Love
“Because I asked her to ride with me. Joci and I are together, LuAnn.”
LuAnn scrunched her face and snapped her fingers. “Well, that won’t last long. We all know you love a smorgasbord.”
She looked at Joci, gave her the up-and-down once again, and strutted off.
Joci took a step back, but Jeremiah squeezed her shoulders and leaned down close to her ear, “I’m sorry. And for the record, that’s not true. I don’t fuck around like she insinuated.”
Joci blew out a breath and opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted.
“Hey, bro!”
Jeremiah turned to see his brother, Dayton, and sister-in-law, Staci, walking toward them. As soon as Dayton and Staci reached them, Jeremiah gave him a slap on the back, then a quick hug. He leaned down and hugged his sister-in-law, then introduced them all.
* * *
Joci noticed how very similar they looked right away. Dayton didn’t look like a computer geek as she suspected; he looked like Jeremiah with short hair. Same color as Jeremiah’s hair, without the sun’s highlights in it. Dayton kept his short and cut around the ears and above the collar in the back with a little length on top. His eyes were similar, though not as bright, and his build was similar as well. Dayton leaned down and hugged Joci, and then Staci stepped forward, also giving her a hug.
Staci’s long, dark brown hair and bright blue eyes twinkled when she stepped back.
Staci whispered, “Did you like all the candles?”
Joci smiled. “Yes, they were beautiful. Thank you for doing that.”
Staci smiled at Joci and then looked at Jeremiah.
“I was happy to do it. We all just want him to be happy. He was very excited and nervous about making sure you would appreciate it.”
Jeremiah gave Staci a slight nod and a grin.
They were chitchatting when Joci heard, “Mom!”
She turned to see Gunnar striding quickly toward them and then stepped over to hug her son.
“Good morning. Are you ready for today?”
Gunnar nodded and said hello to everyone.
Very soon, all the family members had arrived. Jeremiah’s brothers and parents, Thomas and Emily, Joci’s sister, Jackie, and her husband, David, came in shortly after. Jeremiah made introductions.
As soon as Jackie and David showed up, Jeremiah put his arm around Joci and stated, “Joci’s riding with me today.”
His smile stretched across his face.
Jeremiah’s brother, Tommy, looked at Joci and shook his head. “Poor Joci. He’s a cranky bastard. I hope you can handle it.”
Joci giggled. “I know. It’s awful.”
The brothers began putting up the ribbons that would guide riders to the parking and sign-in areas. The sisters-in-law walked to the tents that were set up to hold the clothing, and Jeremiah’s parents strolled to the large tent that had been erected last night for the drinks. The drink stand was being manned by a local veteran’s group, and all proceeds would go to that organization, separate from the Rolling Thunder donations from this ride.
The tables for the sign-up area were set up, and Joci and Jeremiah worked on organizing the area with the sign-up sheets, insurance waivers, and wristbands. He swatted her on the ass, and she stifled a squeal.
“What was that for?”
“You’re leaning over the table setting out papers, and I couldn’t resist. If you don’t want me touching it, don’t stick it out in front of me.”
Joci smirked. She had some local tech school students showing up to keep the data entry rolling along. She set up their laptops, got them booted up, and was ready for them as they arrived. There were a couple of cash drawers at the sign-up table as well.
Jeremiah’s family was available to answer questions and direct traffic. They knew the drill, and everyone worked well together. Just before the first bikers started arriving, Jeremiah walked over to Joci and gave her a big hug.
